Children's Hospital Colorado Expands Food Allergy Treatment Options with Launch of Sublingual Immunotherapy Program

The new therapy helps children build tolerance to 10 food allergens through daily drops placed under the tongue

AURORA, Colo., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital Colorado's Allergy and Immunology Center today launched its Sublingual Immunotherapy Program at its Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, expanding treatment options for children with certain food allergies. Eligible patients now have access to this ongoing therapy, which helps build tolerance to up to 10 food allergens through daily liquid drops developed by Top9Proteins. 

Patients enrolled in the program receive small, carefully controlled doses of allergen under the tongue during four supervised visits at Children's Colorado's Food Challenge and Research Unit. Families are then transitioned to daily at-home therapy, where a consistent regimen may gradually build tolerance and provide greater protection against accidental exposure.

Children's Colorado's Sublingual Immunotherapy Program is expected to treat milk, egg, peanut, cashew (which also provides protection against pistachio), walnut (which also provides protection against pecan), almond, hazelnut and sesame allergies. Additional allergens, including soy and wheat, may be introduced in the future. Children of all ages may be considered for the program, though younger children tend to respond better to immunotherapy and may experience stronger results.

The process begins with an evaluation by a Children's Colorado allergist. Eligible patients may then be referred for a virtual immunotherapy consultation, where families learn about available treatment options, including sublingual immunotherapy and oral immunotherapy, and work with their care team to determine the most appropriate path forward. Appointment wait times may vary and could range from several weeks to months.

"Every child and family has different goals, needs and comfort levels when it comes to managing food allergies," said Allison Hicks, MD, director of Food Immunotherapies and the Food Challenge and Research Unit at Children's Colorado. "Sublingual immunotherapy gives us another way to help children build tolerance to certain allergens while providing added protection from accidental exposures and greater peace of mind for families."

Children's Colorado's Allergy and Immunology Center is one of the largest of its kind in the country and is dedicated to the management of pediatric patients with allergic and immunologic diseases. It is also among the few pediatric medical centers in the region to offer sublingual immunotherapy.

While not currently FDA approved for this use, eligible sublingual immunotherapy patients may obtain prescriptions through Children's Colorado's outpatient pharmacy. The most common reported side effect is temporary mouth itching. While sublingual immunotherapy can help reduce the risk and severity of allergic reactions, it is not a cure and does not replace the need for continued allergy precautions.

To make an appointment or learn more about treatments offered at Children's Colorado's Allergy and Immunology Center, please visit our website.

ABOUT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO

Children's Hospital Colorado is one of the nation's leading and most expansive nonprofit pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health of children through patient care, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1908 and ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Colorado has established itself as a pioneer in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide. Children's Colorado offers a full spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including an academic medical center on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, hospitals in Colorado Springs, Highlands Ranch and Broomfield, and outreach clinics across the region. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.  

SOURCE Children's Hospital Colorado